If a mum with 3 kids and bags has 4 reserved seats for a long train journey, and you're sitting in their seats on a full carriage, don't tell them that their tickets don't matter in a posh voice and then say you're not moving and refuse to make eye contact. Don't be these people. 
My 12yo is just staring this woman down.
A kind man offered me his seat. Spoke to conductor who was calm, lovely, and apologetic, said that instead of engaging with them that he was going to move us to an empty table in first class. I grabbed our bags and turned to the couple and said, with a smile, 'enjoy your seats!'
I would always give up a seat, reserved or not, for someone wo needed it more. But for her to tell me that my tickets meant nothing and then refuse to acknowledge me? Do people just expect you to slink away?
I'm already being told off for posting a picture over an 'everyday occurrence'. But isn't that the point? It only continues to be an everyday occurrence as long as people don't get called out for their pathetic behaviour. I'm sick of protecting assholes.
My kids just told me that while they were sitting across from the couple the woman said to her husband, loud enough so the kids would hear, that 'even when we take first class people don't give up their seats, you take what's there.' In case you felt sorry for them.
Just to clarify, this wasn't Virgin, it was @CrossCountryUK. The staff member who handled was lovely. Giving us the only remaining table (in 1st) was an appreciated gesture but I'd like to know what happens to those who remain in a spot that isn't there's. Are there no penalties?
I haven't gone through all the replies, but from what I've read so far it seems that lots of you folks really wanted me to sit on their laps and fart until they fled.
Wow, had no idea this would blow up in the way it has. I've been getting requests for statements and just wanted to say a few things. This situation is not about my children not having manners enough to stand for the elderly. This is about a culture of bullying and entitlement.
My kids and I were being fair and following rules and these two were not. They immediately switched into bully mode as they saw us approach, clearly aware that those seats were ours. Many of you have written to me having experienced the same, and I'm trying to read through all.
Given how easy it was for the conductor to move us to another carriage to diffuse the situation, had they been in real need, I'm sure they would have gotten moved as well. Instead they broke the rules and tried to make my children and I feel powerless. I don't have time for that.
Now that their faces are on the internet and @MailOnline has asked if anyone knows them, I hope they realize that my disgust is towards their behaviour, not them personally. They could have been kind and reasonable. I hope they do better next time.
Also, I was trying to keep it quiet, but I suspect any witness statement will include that I'm 6.5 months pregnant - something they were well aware of when they decided to not allow me my seats. I didn't want that info to detract from the story itself, but rather you hear from me
Slightly disappointed that @CrossCountryUK offered a statement to @TheSun but have still not contacted me regarding my query about how the rules work on their trains with regard to reserved seats and those who refuse to give up seats that are not there's.
